A new survey from SolarWinds has highlighted a growing demand for increased government regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), with 88% of IT professionals advocating for stronger oversight. The study, which surveyed nearly 700 IT experts, underscores security as the primary concern, with 72% of respondents emphasising the need for robust measures to safeguard infrastructure. Privacy was the next major issue, with 64% calling for enhanced regulations to protect sensitive data.
Rob Johnson, Vice President and Global Head of Solutions Engineering at SolarWinds, commented on the findings: “It’s understandable that IT leaders are cautious about AI. As with any rapidly evolving technology, AI brings challenges typical of emerging innovations. Security and privacy are at the forefront, and while regulators are increasingly focused on these areas, organisations must take proactive steps to improve data hygiene, enforce AI ethics, and build the right teams. This approach not only ensures compliance with regulations but also helps maximise AI’s potential.”
Regulatory Landscape Shifts
The survey’s results come at a crucial time, as the global regulatory landscape around AI begins to take shape. The European Union has recently implemented its AI Act, while in the UK, the Labour government proposed new AI legislation in the latest King’s Speech. Across the Atlantic, the California State Assembly passed a contentious AI safety bill just last month, reflecting the worldwide momentum towards formalising AI governance.
In addition to security and privacy concerns, the SolarWinds survey revealed that 55% of IT professionals believe government intervention is necessary to combat the spread of AI-generated misinformation. A further 50% support regulations aimed at ensuring transparency and ethical practices in AI development, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the challenges that AI presents.
Data Quality Concerns Loom Large
However, the challenges facing AI adoption go beyond regulatory issues. The survey exposed significant concerns over data quality, which is seen as a critical foundation for successful AI implementation. Only 38% of respondents reported having high confidence in the quality and accuracy of the data used in AI systems, with many attributing AI-related problems to algorithmic errors caused by insufficient or biased data.
Data quality was identified as the second-largest barrier to AI adoption, with 16% of respondents citing it as a major issue—second only to concerns around security and privacy risks. This highlights the importance of reliable, unbiased datasets in fostering AI development.
“High-quality data is fundamental to creating accurate and trustworthy AI models,” Johnson added. “When data quality is high, IT professionals can have greater confidence in the AI systems they’re working with, which accelerates broader adoption and integration.”
Concerns Over Organisational Readiness
The survey also raised alarm bells about the preparedness of organisations to meet the rising data demands of AI. Less than half (43%) of respondents expressed confidence in their company’s ability to handle the volume and complexity of data required for AI. This lack of readiness is compounded by ongoing data quality challenges, with 46% of IT professionals citing these issues as a key factor slowing down AI adoption.
As AI continues to reshape industries and the technological landscape, the findings from the SolarWinds survey serve as a clear message to both regulators and businesses. IT professionals are calling for stronger oversight, but they also highlight the need for organisations to improve their data practices. While AI holds great promise, its successful integration will depend on addressing these critical concerns around security, privacy, and data quality.
The survey underscores the delicate balance that must be struck between harnessing AI’s potential and ensuring that it operates in a secure, ethical, and trustworthy environment. As governments and organisations alike grapple with these issues, the road to widespread AI adoption will likely involve navigating both regulatory frameworks and improving internal data infrastructures.
Reference: https://www.artificialintelligence-news.com/news/solarwinds-it-professionals-stronger-ai-regulation/
